Tuesday Tip: Writing through the distractions

I’m the kind of person that gets easily distracted. Any sound or motion will pull my attention to what I’m doing, so this is why I can’t write in a coffee shop.

Even at home, sounds from downstairs, or the street, are known to irk me beyond rage when I’m trying to focus on writing. So here are a few tips that might others who face the same:

– A headset helps drown out sound. Even if you’re not listening to anything, I find the headset softens the noise. I’d love the noise dampening headphones, if only to get that much-needed quiet.

You can also use ambient sound to muffle noise. This site, ISerenity, offers such ambience as a typewriter, fan, purring, and wind chimes, just to name a few.

– Tell your family you will be writing. Give the kids an activity to do (chores if they can’t respect your space), or a movie or craft. Give an allotted time and stick to it.

– Wear something that indicates you are in ‘writing mode’. This tip came from Bly’s, No Plot? No Problem book where he dons a specific hat. You can pick fingerless gloves, a special sweater/jacket, or put up a sign “Do not disturb the writer”.

– Find a writing spot. Some writers require a writing spot to craft their stories, someplace quiet, or maybe even bustling with people (coffeeshop) to get the juices flowing. My writing spot is generally my office, but sometimes I will write with my Iphone and an app called My Writing Spot just about anywhere such as the doctor’s office or waiting in line.